Period Movies - Design your GIVEAWAYS!

Amsterdam Tradeshow Giveaways - PMB

Get something printed for yourself and your readers! It can't get any simpler.

Hi! I am not going to give a movie review in this post, rather its something fun!

The idea struck me while I was reading some of my favorite blogs, 'God's Daughter' and 'Old Fashioned Charm' , well they are having these really awesome giveaways so I thought we must have some nice memorabilia of period movies because it isn't easy to find them in stores, that's why I searched on the net and came across this 'fun junction', yes it is fun - Amsterdam Tradeshow Giveaways. I highly recommend it, no matter whether you are a period movie fan or a blogger, you can always choose something from their stock, get it personalized, gift it, keep it, promote your brand or simply organize a quiz contest, do whatever you want. You might as well be interested in these custom promotion items, they're just what you need.

Now these guys have a variety of things to pick from, key tags, water bottles, balloons, files, flyer discs, wristbands and tons of other cool things. Just grab your object then let them know what do you want to print on them and you're done! That's it!

I am thinking of having a giveaway sometime in September or October and I'll be designing my things here because it is so easy! I hope you like it too!

Just in case you're in need of some cool quotes, jump onto this.

Don't forget to tell me about this, just leave a comment!

Period Movies Box - Brideshead Revisited (2008) - Reviewed

Brideshead Revisited (2008)
My Overall Rating - 6/10

Brideshead Revisited (2008) - Period Movies Box

I was to dying to see this one for a long time now and finally got the chance yesterday. I don't know if it was my limited sense of grasping things or something else, the movie seemed more or less OBTUSE, to me. Its a screen adaptation of the classic novel by Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited in 1945 and it is disappointing that the movie is not very loyal to the book, though I haven't read it. The casting is good though, Mathew Goode, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon, Haley Atwell, Ben Whishaw, Felicity Jones and others.

The movie follows the life of Charles Ryder (Mathew Goode), a middle class painter, student at Oxford. The plot develops when Charles befriends sophisticated and erratic aristocrat Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw) and gets introduced to his family at Brideshead. Anyway, there are certain things I wish to point out, firstly, the costumes and the sets are very nice indeed, secondly, Sebastian Flyte wasn't out and out gay, and his affections towards Charles can be termed as 'Man Affection' and not exactly what the movie captures, thirdly, the movie was made with an intention of Epic Drama and that's the reason for the excessive dramatization of the plot and characters, forgetting the underlying theme and details of the novel.

Having said that, I think Mathew Goode is suavely handsome and girls will agree with me. The performances given by the actors are good but somehow the movie hasn't been assembled with sincerity, I feel. It was a nice watch still, and by the way, I would love to revisit Brideshead anytime, for its sheer beauty! If you're a period movie fan, you'll appreciate it for its sets, acting and costume.

IMDb Link - Brideshead Revisited
Wikipedia Link - Brideshead Revisited

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Period Movies Box - North and South (2004) - Reviewed

North and South (2004)
My Overall Rating - 7.5/10

North and South (2004)

It was the first time, for me atleast, that I saw something different from the scenic countryside and palatial buildings in a period piece. North and South is definitely different, real and very well made series. It is based on the novel, North and South by English writer Elizabeth Gaskell.

I have never been so impressed by a TV mini series, it is definitely the best I have seen so far. The story follows the life of the Hale family, the protagonist Margret Hale, her father and mother. As the title suggests, the novel compares the life and people of north and south of the then England but you never really get to see 'south' through out.

Margret Hale, who comes from the south of the country, dislikes north in the starting but eventually makes friends and finds something more profound in the arrogant and unemotional Mr. Thornton (I was simply dazzled **Richard Armitage**). The movie stars Daniela Denby-Ashe (Margret Hale), Richard Armitage (Mr. Thornton), Anna Maxwell Martin, Rupert Evans, Wiiliam Houston and others.

The performances are very genuine and straight. The best thing I liked about the series was that it shows something different from the regular ribbons and bonnets of young ladies, palaces and scenery of England and their extra ordinary fast accents. It shows the working class, the mills, the factory workers and miseries of people, of different classes.

Its a must watch, you'll not be disappointed, trust me!

IMDb Link - North and South
Wikipedia Link - North and South  

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Period Movies Box - Dimensions - Curtain Raiser

Dimensions - a line, a loop, a tangle of threads

This is a very special post since I have been asked to write and let you all know about this upcoming movie, Dimensions -a line, a loop, a tangle of threads by debutante couple Ant Neely and Sloane U’Re. 


The movie stars Camilla Rutherford (Gosford Park, Rome, The Darjeeling Limited), Henry Lloyd-Hughes (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Inbetweeners, Annoymous) and Patrick Godfrey (The Remains of the Day, The Duchess, A Room with a View).


I just watched the teaser of the movie and I'm sure I'll watch the movie when it comes to theaters. Allow me to tell you the plot of the movie, in the words of the movie makers, "Stephen is a brilliant young boy who lives in Cambridge, England, in what appears to be the 1920s 
– but nothing in Stephen’s life is quite as it seems.  His world is turned upside down upon meeting a 
charismatic and inspirational professor at a garden party who demonstrates to Stephen and his friends 
what life would be like if they themselves were merely one, or two, dimensional beings.  He then 
proceeds to explain that by manipulating other dimensions, time travel may actually be possible.
As Stephen’s life unfolds, events lead him to dedicate himself to turning the Professor’s theories of time 
travel into reality.  Jealousy, love, obsession, temptation and greed surround him, influencing his fragile 
mind and the direction of his work."


Here are some of the links -

• Youtube - Teaser
• Movie Information & Synopsis
• Movie - Fashion & Style
• Facebook Page
• Twitter

The movie has been chosen to premier at the Cambridge Film Festival, alongside 'Tinker,Taylor,Soldier,Spy'.

We would love to hear from you, all your comments (praise or a suggestion) are welcome!

Period Movies Box - Jodha Akbar (2008) - Reviewed

First of all   Happy Independence Day to all Indians!


Jodhaa Akbar (2008) - Reviewed
My Overall Rating : 7.5/10

Jodhaa Akbar - Indian Period Movie

This is the first time I am going to write my views about an Indian period movie since its Indian Independence Day and this time triggers passion to write something related to my country.

I know India hasn't had much credit to claim when it comes to period movies, the box has been comparatively empty, but then, I thought of a movie which is a very well made period film, Jodha Akbar.

The movie stars Hritik Roshan (Akbar), Aishwarya Rai Bachhan (Jodha), Ila Arun, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sonu Sood and the iconic Amitabh Bachhan, who has rendered his baritone voice as the narrator of the movie. The movie follows the story of the sixteenth century Mughal emperor, Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar's marriage of alliance with a rajput princess, Jodha Bai of Amer, which eventually turns out into a love story.

The movie is very beautiful to the eyes, the costumes and the sets have been designed with details. Its not just the visual and the art direction, the movie scores on each and every ground you can think of, lots of inspiration for other Indian directors and producers to make something worthwhile. The performances are amazing, especially Ila Arun's role as Maham Anga is superb!

If you like period movies and haven't seen this one yet, make haste, its a very good movie, added to that you'll get listen some great songs too!

IMDb Link - Jodhaa Akbar
Wikipedia Link - Jodhaa Akbar

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Period Movies Box - Friday Favorite Character - Elinor Dashwood

Elinor Dashwood

The main protagonist in Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility. Elinor Dashwood can be referred to as the 'Sense' part of the novel since she practical, honest, good natured and thoughtful. Elinor is not described as a complete beauty but is said to have regular features and good figure. She is very balanced both, mentally and emotionally. Comparisons have been drawn between her and her younger sister, Marianne Dashwood who happens to be the 'Sensibility' part of the book. Unlike Marianne, Elinor is more in control of her emotions and definitely much more compromising.


Some people are of the opinion that the character Elinor Dashwood is loosely based on Jane Austen's elder sister Cassandra Austen. Jane was most close to Cassandra, throughout her life.  


The way Elinor hides her feelings for Edward thinking that there was no hope for her only shows how practical she was in the ways love and romance. Though her feelings were genuine and strong, she could not give Edward a hint about them because she was very concerned about what exactly the society expects of her and her conduct.


Ah! I think Elinor was a little too concerned about the society and didn't think about herself. Personally, I am of the opinion that its fine to be agreeable in society but then its shouldn't be to an extent where you stop valuing yourself and all you care about is society. Elinor Dashwood is a very well written character indeed, sense personified!


I love love love Emma Thompson's portrayal of Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility (1995) and I think very highly of her. In fact, the casting of the movie was very good, perhaps a replacement for Hugh Grant would have added more soul to Edward's character. It is as I reckon one of the best period movies I have seen and the critics think the same.

Period Movies Box - Tangled (2010) - Reviewed

Tangled (2010)
My Overall Rating - 8/10

Tangled - Disney

I think I was really unlucky not to have watched a movie like this when it was still in theater, I guess I couldn't because of my exams! *Curse my College*


Tangled's picture should be placed next to the word "Delightful" in Webster dictionary. Anyway, that was my very weird sense of praising. Honestly, I don't know if there is anything bad about this movie, seriously, from the voice overs to the CG and animation, the scenes and ofcourse RIDER, it is what you can tag as a TREAT!


The story of Rapunzel has been retold and in an amazing fashion. The voice overs have been done by Mandy Moore (Rapunzel), Zachary Levi (Flynn Rider), Donna Murphy (Mother Gothel) and they all have done a very nice job. The jokes are simple and funny, timing is exquisite and I would love to have a dog like that white horse! I loved Pascal (chameleon) he's so mature and sensible, almost like an elder brother! 


Ah! I so loved the movie, I don't know why critiques weren't totally satisfied with it (on second thoughts, I guess they make a living by criticizing everything good!). 


What else can you expect from a movie. Its a total charmer and you'll love it.  As for the title 'Tangled', there's nothing more straight, shiny, silky and strong than Rapunzel's hair, not tangled at all! I wish all the period movies could be remade in animation, that would be so wonderful.

IMDb Link - Tangled
Wikipedia Link - Tangled

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Period Movies Box - Miss Potter (2006) - Reviewed

Miss Potter (2006) 
My Overall Rating - 7.5/10

Miss Potter - Renee Zellweger

Today I watched Miss Potter and what a delight it was. The movie stars Renee Zellweger (as Beatrice Potter), Ewan McGregor (as Norman Warne), Emily Watson (as Millie Warne), Lloyd Owen, Bill Paterson among the rest. The movie follows the story of Beatrice Potter, the celebrated and much loved author of children's books, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.


The story has been very well formed by Richard Maltby Jr, my sincere compliments to him. Much closer to the truth and the facts of the author and so subtle. This is exactly what I expected from Renee Zellweger, a great performance and I think Ewan McGregor's mustache made him look much more handsome (not many people can carry it off that well!). 


The movie captures the beautiful illustrations made by Beatrice Potter as well as the picturesque hill top farm where she lived. There's such beauty in the movie, and innocence too. No doubt Miss Potter celebrated the countryside living in Britain, it is what she preached and loved, until the very end.

Its a definitely 'catch it' movie, so simple and yet so good. I liked everything about it, the cast, story, scenes, music and ofcourse the stupid Puddle Duck! I can tag this Sunday evening as 'charming' one!

I wish there were more such movies, a family movie definitely. I think you might as well want to read a very nice post on Beatrix Potter on one of my favorite blogs.

IMDb Link - Miss Potter
Wikipedia Link - Miss Potter

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Period Movies Box - Northanger Abbey (2007) - Reviewed

Northanger Abbey (2007)
My Overall Rating - 6/10

Northanger Abbey

Well, I watched Northanger Abbey few hours back and I think I should stop watching TV adaptations of Jane Austen's books since not all of them turn out to be as good as Pride & Prejudice (1995)and it disappoints me  . This adaptation stars Felicity Jones (as Catherine Morland), JJ Field (as Henry Tilney), Carey Mulligan, Hugh O' Connor among the rest.

If Persuasion (2007) was the worst adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, this one would only be the second worst I have seen so far. On second thoughts, I think I must not compare it with Persuasion (2007), it would be unfair, since this one has far better sets, scenes, actors and costumes. Still, you won't be able to appreciate the film as one of Austen's delectable work or a movie made on it.

Felicity Jones has done decent work as Catherine Morland, though she looks like a twelve year instead of fifteen. J.J. Field is good and handsome in the role, I liked his voice as well. He looks mature and sufficiently amusing at the same time. Carey Mulligan, well she is the big thing and quite proves herself in a supporting actress role. Actually, she's the best you have in the complete cast.

The movie is too short, just ninety minutes or so, I think that makes a good revision of the actual story. As far as the production is concerned, I was happy to see some raise in the standards as compared to those of Persuasion (2007) (personally, I guess it shows cost cutting and recession hit movie industry so evidently).

If you are a die hard regency era fan and can endure anything in the name of old charm, well, its fine to devote you hour and a half on this movie. Just in case you are looking for something which equals in standard to Pride & Prejudice (1995), you must avoid the movie or you'll be let down deeply.

IMDb Link - Northanger Abbey
Wikipedia Link - Northanger Abbey

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Period Movies Box - Friday Favorite Character - Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Bennet - Pride & Prejudice

Of all the books and all the characters, there are two which hold the top position for me, one of them is Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. I know there are millions of girls who look upto this fictional character as a figure of inspiration and why not, there are more than one reason to like the prejudiced young woman.

Her family calls her 'Lizzy' and friends call her 'Eliza'. Quick wit and a certain sarcasm can be counted as her charms. Through out the book we see that Jane Bennet is labelled to be the most beautiful of the five Bennet sisters, but Elizabeth's look have not really been seriously mentioned anywhere. She is thought to be the second prettiest of her sisters though. As quoted in the book,  "a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous", Elizabeth is also proud of her wit.


The thing that I like best in this character is that she's not blondie like many other beautiful women. She is intelligent, independent and she definitely has a sharp tongue (which I too have)! There have been so many character analysis been drawn for this character but I thought to write what I personally feel as a reader of the novel and a viewer of the movies. 


Keira Knightley is the best Elizabeth Bennet so far, I think. Aishwarya Rai could have been very good only if she have had this role a decade earlier, when she was actually young and light.




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Period Movies Box - Marie Antoinette (2006) - Reviewed

Marie Antoinette (2006)


My Overall Rating - 6/10

Marie Antoinette - Kirsten Dunst

I quite wanted to watch this one for a long time now. Yesterday I did watch it and there was this one thing that ruined the movie. It stars Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman, Judy Davis, Rip Torn and many others. Its is based on the life of the iconic queen of France, Marie Antoinette who got married at a young age of fifteen and became the Queen of France at the age of nineteen. Her extravagance ultimately led to the doom of the Versailles.

Kirsten Dunst has acted well and has Jason Schwartzman, but it was something I did not expect this from Sofia Coppola, the director and writer of the movie, she is an Oscar winner (Lost in Translation). It has been listed as drama on IMDb but I found it very comic, indeed. Now, the worst part, the Background Score of the movie, yikes! How could anyone be so insane and ruin a period movie with that sort of music and beats. Their excuse is that,' the movie was made for the young and teenagers'. Well I personally think that teenagers don't watch a movie for the silly and odd beats in the background. It literally crushes everything else. The art direction is so so good, you would just want to keep looking at the sets and the costumes are so fine.

Basically, its a nice story, wrecked by the silliest music I have ever heard. I would like Kirsten Dunst acting in a period movie again, a good and decent one perhaps. You can watch the movie for its exquisite sets and beautiful dresses.

IMDb Link- Marie Antoinette
Wikipedia Link - Marie Antoinette

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